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THE GREAT TRANSFORMATION OF CHINA

The Rise of the

Middle Class in
Contemporary
China
Hainan Su · Hong Wang
Fenglin Chang
 The Great Transformation of China

China’s Economic Transformation, Innovation

and Development

Series Editor
Fulin Chi, China Institute for Reform and Development, Haikou,
Hainan, China
China is facing unprecedented challenges in its continued moderniza-
tion process. This series brings together government insiders, academics,
and policymakers in articulating specific social and political issues that
China is trying to resolve, offering scholars around the world insights
into what China’s leadership see as the biggest challenges facing the
nation and how best to resolve them. The series publishes monographs
and edited volumes with contributions on a global basis dedicated to
ground-breaking research on the Chinese modernization process.
Hainan Su · Hong Wang · Fenglin Chang

The Rise
of the Middle Class
in Contemporary
China
Hainan Su Hong Wang
Chinese Association of Labour Chinese Academy of Labor
Science and Social Security
Chinese Academy of Labor Beijing, China
and Social Security
Beijing, China

Fenglin Chang
Research Office of Income
Distribution
Chinese Academy of Labor
and Social Security
Beijing, China

Translated by
Qiaodan Lu Yunqian Li
Hangzhou, China Nanning, China

Xian Wang Chen Sijia

Anqing, China Hangzhou, China

Xie Qianfan
Hangzhou, China
ISSN 2509-6001 ISSN 2509-601X (electronic)
The Great Transformation of China
ISBN 978-981-19-5098-8 ISBN 978-981-19-5099-5 (eBook)
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-5099-5

Jointly published with Zhejiang University Press

The print edition is not for sale in China Mainland. Customers from China Mainland
please order the print book from Zhejiang University Press.

© Zhejiang University Press 2022

This work is subject to copyright. All rights are reserved by the Publishers, whether the
whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting,
reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other
physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation,
computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter
developed.
The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc.
in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such
names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for
general use.
The publishers, the authors, and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and
information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication.
Neither the publishers nor the authors or the editors give a warranty, expressed or implied,
with respect to the material contained herein or for any errors or omissions that may have
 v

been made. The publishers remain neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published
maps and institutional affiliations.

This Palgrave Macmillan imprint is published by the registered company Springer Nature
Singapore Pte Ltd.
The registered company address is: 152 Beach Road, #21-01/04 Gateway East, Singapore
189721, Singapore
 Series Editor’s Preface

The Year 2020: A Historic Choice

of Economic Transformation and Upgrading
A great nation with 13 billion people is facing a changing situation it has
not ever faced for a thousand years. Change, transformation and innova-
tion feature the main melody of the era. In this era of high integration
of growth, transformation and reform, “great transformation” is exactly
what decides the destiny of China. In other words, not only will “toxic
assets” left in the traditional system have to be eliminated completely but
also the new way for further growth needs to be paved quickly while
letting loose the new motive force of development.
The major transformation in China’s “13th Five-Year Plan” (FYP)
is historically decisive. With the economic transformation as the focal
point, both social transformation and government transformation are in
the crucial period of transition in which innumerable thorny problems
have to be tackled. Our general judgment is that the year 2020 is like a
“gorge” we have to jump over. Specifically, by the end of 2020 we will
have eliminated the pressure on short-term growth and changed the way
for economic development while achieving a comparatively prosperous
society in an all-round way and becoming one of the high-income coun-
tries in the world. If we plan well enough to make the best use of 2020,
a mid-term period in the 13th FYP, we can lay a solid foundation for the
medium-to-long-term peaceful and sustainable growth. If we fail to grasp

vii
viii SERIES EDITOR’S PREFACE

the historical opportunity of 2020, we will lose the initiative of “great

transformation”, thus resulting in multiple systemic economic risks.
The significant breakthrough for achieving the economic transfor-
mation and upgrading in the 13th FYP period is how to cope with
“four threes”. Firstly, three major trends: one for industrial transforma-
tion and upgrading from “made in China” to “intellectually made in
China”; one for urbanized transformation and upgrading from scale to
population; and one for consumption pattern upgrading from material
to service. Secondly, three major challenges: one for achieving a major
breakthrough in structural reform by enhancing the structural adjust-
ment despite the economic downturn; one for “corner overtaking” by
responding to the global new round of scientific and technological revo-
lution and increasing the ability to innovate; and one for a real and
down-to-earth reform. At present, the transformation depends more on
the all-round breakthrough in reform. It couldn’t move forward at all
without the change in systematic structure. And the growth would suffer
big pressures. Thirdly, three major goals: one for industry, namely forming
the service-dominated industrial structure by accelerating the process of
service in manufacture; one for a major motive force, namely forming
a consumption-oriented new pattern of economic growth, in which
consumption guides investment and domestic consumption becomes a
main force that spurs economic growth; and one for opening up, namely
forming a new open pattern dominated by service trade so as to redouble
service trade in scale. Finally, three major relationships to be handled
properly: one between the short term and the medium-to-long term
in which the best job should be done for 2020 (the mid-term period)
while resolving contradictions in the short term, basing ourselves on the
mid-term and keeping our eyes on the long term; one between speed
and structure which requires accelerating the structural adjustment while
maintaining an increase by 7% or so; and one between policy and system
in which the key is to gain a policy advantage in achieving institutional
innovation under the economic pressure.
The past 40 years of reform and opening up have left us numer-
able valuable assets. The most valuable one is that the more complex
the situation may be and the more fundamental the change in environ-
ment, the more determined we will be in carrying out the reform and
pushing through the transformation. All these require that the “great
transformation” need overall arrangement and ambitious planning, need
 SERIES EDITOR’S PREFACE ix

a significant breakthrough in the reform of industrial structure, urban-

rural structure, regional structure, ownership pattern, open structure and
administrative power structure, and need prospective planning in green
sustainable development and “internet plus” development trends.
By judging the transformational reform in the 13th FYP period, China
(Hainan) Institute for Reform and Development (CIRD) and Zhejiang
University Press have jointly designed and published this set of series
entitled The Great Nation in Great Transformation—Economic Trans-
formation and Innovative Development in China. The book series has
paid attention to readability based on being strategic, prospective and
academic. It is our expectation that the series will offer enlightenment
to readers who are closely watching the transformational reform in China
while playing an active role in promoting the transformational reform in
the 13th FYP period.
The authors of the series are mostly well-known scholars in their own
subject areas, who wrote their respective books in their spare time. As the
director of the editorial board of the series, I wish, first and foremost,
to extend my sincere thanks to the consultants, editorial board members,
authors and the leadership and editors of the press.
Last but not least, this set of series covers a wide range of subject
areas, each volume representing its author’s own research conclusions
and academic opinions. The set does not require consistency in terms of
viewpoints. Any criticism and correction from readers are truly welcome.

September 2015 Chi Fulin

 Contents

1 Introduction 1
2 The Urgent Need for the Rise of the Middle Class
in Contemporary China 7
2.1 A New Question of Contemporary China’s
Development in Its New Stage 8
2.1.1 New Challenges Contemporary China Is
Facing to Leap Over the “Middle-Income
Trap” 8
2.1.2 New Requirements for Building
a Moderately Prosperous Society in All
Respects in the New Phase of the Great
National Transformation 15
2.2 The Necessity and Urgency of the “Rising” Middle
Class in Contemporary China 17
2.2.1 The Urgent Need of Millions of People
to Pursue Common Prosperity 18
2.2.2 The Urgent Need to Solve the Prominent
Issues in Income Distribution in China 21
2.2.3 The Urgent Need to Promote
the Adjustment of China’s Economic
Structure and the Expanding of Domestic
Demand 24

xi
xii CONTENTS

2.2.4 The Urgent Need to Form a Rational

Social Structure and Maintain Long-Term
Social Stability 27
2.2.5 The Urgent Need to Implement Relevant
Fundamental Policies of the CPC Central
Committee 30
3 The Origin and Development of the Middle Class 33
3.1 What Is the Middle Class 34
3.1.1 A Brief Introduction to the Concept
of the Middle Class in Western Countries 34
3.1.2 The Origin of China’s Use of the Concept
of the Middle Class and the Perspective
of This Book 37
3.2 The Origin and Development of the Middle Class
in Western Countries 42
3.2.1 The Origin of the Middle Class in Western
Countries in Modern Times 42
3.2.2 The Development of the Middle Class
in Western Countries 45
3.3 The Origin and Development of the Middle Class
in Modern China 50
3.3.1 The Embryo of the Middle Class in the 19th
Century 50
3.3.2 The Development of the Modern Middle
Class in China 52
4 Who is the Modern Middle Class in China? 59
4.1 The Emergence and Development of the Modern
Chinese Middle Class 60
4.1.1 The Embryo of the Middle Class
at the Beginning of the Reform
and Opening up 60
4.1.2 The Development of the Middle Class
Promoted by the Deepening of the Reform
and Opening up 64
4.2 The Definition of the Middle Class in Contemporary
China 73
4.2.1 The Definition of the Middle Class
in Contemporary China 74
 CONTENTS xiii

4.2.2 National Reality Analysis for Standards 77

4.2.3 Who Are the Contemporary Middle Class? 83
4.3 How Many Middle-Class Members Are There
in China? 92
4.3.1 Our Calculation 92
4.3.2 Comparison and Revision with Other
Calculations 95
5 Analysis of the Status Quo and the Problems
of the Middle Class in Contemporary China 101
5.1 The Status Quo of the Middle Class in Contemporary
China 102
5.1.1 The Current Composition and Distribution
of China’s Middle Class 102
5.1.2 The Current Occupation Distribution
of China’s Middle Class 112
5.1.3 The Social Behavioral Characteristics
of China’s Middle Class 121
5.2 Deficiencies and Problems Regarding the Current
Chinese Middle Class 126
5.2.1 The Relatively Small Proportion of Middle
Class, and the Olive-Shaped Distribution
Pattern is yet Distant 129
5.2.2 The Middle Class’s Relatively Low Level
of Income and Property 130
5.2.3 The Imbalance and Instability
in the Structure of the Middle Class 132
5.2.4 The Uneven Civilization Level Among
the Middle Class 134
5.2.5 Relatively Unified Norms in Morality
and Behaviors Are Far from Achieved
or Predominant in the Society 136
5.3 Factors Binding the Development of the Middle
Class in Contemporary China 138
5.3.1 The Extensive Economic Development
Constraints the Enlargement of the Middle
Class 138
5.3.2 The Urban–rural Dual Structure Hampers
the Balanced Expansion of the Middle Class 139
xiv CONTENTS

5.3.3 The Unreasonable Industrial Structure

Has Constrained the Growth of the Middle
Class 140
5.3.4 The Backwardness of the Income
Distribution System Reform Impedes
the Rise of the Middle Class 142
5.3.5 The Drawbacks in Education, Healthcare,
Public Service and Other Social Systems
Hinder the Development of the Middle Class 144
5.3.6 The Insufficiency of China’s Culture
Construction 146
6 The Rise of the Middle Class in Contemporary China
Looks Promising 149
6.1 The New Stage of the “Four-Pronged” Strategy Will
Promote Great Changes in China 150
6.2 China’s Economic Transformation Will Provide
a Solid Economic Foundation for the Development
and Expansion of the Middle Class 155
6.2.1 China’s Economic Transformation Will
Be Conducive to Making the Pie of Social
Wealth Bigger and Better 156
6.2.2 China’s Economic Transformation Will
Be Conductive to Expanding the Source
of the Middle Class 158
6.3 China’s Social Transformation Will Provide Better
Social Conditions for the Expansion of the Middle
Class 160
6.3.1 Ruling the Country by Law Will Benefit
the Development of the Middle Class 161
6.3.2 Educational Reforms Will Be Conducive
to the Improvement of the Quality
of the Middle Class 162
6.3.3 The Construction of Social Honesty
and Credit Will Be Conducive
to the Behavioral Norms of the Middle Class 163
6.4 The Chinese Government Formulates and Continues
to Improve Policies for Promoting the Development
and Expansion of the Middle Class 165
 CONTENTS xv

6.4.1 The Government Has Formulated

a Series of Policies that Are Conducive
to the Development and Expansion
of the Middle Class 165
6.4.2 The Government Will Formulate More
Situation-Based Policies for “ Xingzhong”
(The Rise of the Middle Class) 168
6.5 The Valuable Experience of Foreign Countries Can
Be Adopted for Reference 169
6.5.1 Learning Valuable Foreign Experience
Is the Only Way to Derive Advantages
in the Late Strike 169
6.5.2 Systematically Summarizing and Learning
from the Valuable Experience of Foreign
Countries is Beneficial to the Rise
of the Middle Class 170
7 Valuable Experience Overseas 173
7.1 Development Pattern of the Middle Class
in Developed Countries and Regions 174
7.1.1 The “Spontaneous Growth Pattern
of the Middle Class” in Britain, France
and America 175
7.1.2 “Spontaneous Growth with the Policy
Promotion Pattern of the Middle Class”
in the Nordic Welfare States 181
7.1.3 The Rapid Rise of the Middle Class
and Intentional Impetus Given
by the Government Pattern in Some East
Asian Countries and Regions 183
7.1.4 “Middle-Class Growth Frustrated by Policy
Failures” in India and Latin America 190
7.2 Useful Experiences and References 204
7.2.1 Based on Sustained and Steady Economic
Growth, the Reform and Improvement
of Economic and Social Systems Are
Necessary and Sufficient Conditions 204
xvi CONTENTS

7.2.2 The Development of the Middle Class

Must Be Integrated with the Process
of Industrialization and Urbanization 205
7.2.3 The Expansion of the Middle Class
and Social Transformation Complement
Each Other 205
7.2.4 The Development of the Middle Class Needs
a Reasonable Income Distribution System
and the Support of the Social Security System 206
7.2.5 The Development of the Middle Class Needs
the Support of Basic Public Services Such
as Education 207
8 Thoughts and Objectives Regarding
the Comprehensive Rise of the Middle Class
211
8.1 Comprehensive “ Xingzhong” is a Huge, Complex
Systematic Project 211
8.1.1 The Connotation of Comprehensive
“ Xingzhong” 212
8.1.2 The Level and Perspective of Comprehensive
“ Xingzhong” 213
8.1.3 Analysis and Basic Orientation of the New
Changes in the National Conditions
of Comprehensive “ Xingzhong” 215
8.2 The Basic Ideas and Principles of Comprehensive
“ Xingzhong” 221
8.2.1 Basic Ideas 221
8.2.2 Basic Principles 223
8.3 The Goal of Comprehensive “ Xingzhong” 225
8.3.1 Forecast and Analysis of the 2020 Target 225
8.3.2 Forecast and Analysis Regarding the 2030
Target 230
9 Basic Measures for the Overall Rise of the Middle
Class 237
9.1 Paying great attention to the Comprehensive
“ Xingzhong” (Rise of the Middle Class in China) 237
9.1.1 Understanding Fully the Significance
of the Comprehensive “ Xingzhong” 238
 CONTENTS xvii

9.1.2 Connecting the Comprehensive

“ Xingzhong” with the Leaping
Over of the “High-Income Wall”
and “Middle-Income Trap” 239
9.2 Making the “Pie” Bigger and Better,
and Consolidating the Material Foundation
of the Comprehensive “ Xingzhong” 243
9.2.1 Maintaining Healthy and Sustainale
Economic Growth 243
9.2.2 Creating New Demands in Various Aspects 248
9.2.3 Changing the Mode of Economic
Development and Improving the Quality
of the Economy 251
9.3 Adjusting the Economic and Social Structure,
and Finding More Ways to Increase the Members
of the Comprehensive “ Xingzhong” 253
9.3.1 Adjusting the Industrial Structure
and Employment Structure to Increase
the Number of the Middle Class 253
9.3.2 Promoting Urbanization to Transform
More Peasants into Citizens 254
9.3.3 Adjusting the Distribution Structure
of Income to Increase the Size of the Middle
Class 256
9.3.4 Adjusting Other Social Structures
and Improving the Conditions
for Developing the Middle Class 259
9.4 Deepening the Reform of the Economic
and Social System and Removing the Obstaces
to the Comprehensive “ Xingzhong” 260
9.4.1 Deepening the Reform of the Economic
System and Eliminating the Obstacles
to the Development of Equal Competition
Among the Market Participants 260
9.4.2 Deepening the Reform of the Social
Management System and Eliminating
the Obstacles Which Hinder
the Development and Expansion
of the Middle Class 264
xviii CONTENTS

9.5 Strengthening Education and Spiritual

Civilization, and Promoting the Overall Quality
of the Middle Class 267
9.5.1 Sorting out and Clarifying the Way
to Improve the Quality of the Middle Class 268
9.5.2 Carrying out Classified Work to Improve
the Overall Quality of the Middle Class 269
10 Focus of the Comprehensive “Xingzhong ” (The Rise
of the Middle Class) in Contemporary China 275
10.1 Regarding the “All-Round Rise of the Middle
Class” as a Major Social Construction Task 275
10.1.1 Incorporating the Development
and Expansion of the Middle Class
into the National Economic and Social
Development Plan 276
10.1.2 Incorporating the Expansion
of the Middle Class into the Daily
Agenda of Governments at All Levels 277
10.2 Deepening the Reform of the Income Distribution
System and Expanding the Middle-Income Groups 278
10.2.1 Deepening the Reform of the Salary System
and Expanding the Middle-Income Groups 278
10.2.2 Establishing and Improving the System
to Increase Residents’ Property Income 286
10.2.3 Improving and Consummating the Fiscal
Levy System to Increase the Residents’
Income from Transfer 291
10.2.4 Accelerating the Consolidation of the Basic
Management System of Income
Distribution to Promote the Comprehensive
“ Xingzhong” (Rise of the Middle Class) 294
10.2.5 Reinforcing the Adjustment of Distribution
Relations to Accelerate the Narrowing
of the Unreasonable Gaps 295
10.3 Further Improving the System of Social Security,
Employment and Startup Businesses 298
 CONTENTS xix

10.3.1 Accelerating the Improvement of the Social

Security System to Resolve the Middle
Class’s Worries About Their Subsistence 298
10.3.2 Improving the Support System
for Employment and Start-Ups
to Facilitate More Workers Entering
the Middle Class 306
10.4 Striving to Make Remarkable Progress
in the Regulation of the Urban and Rural,
Industrial and Occupational Structure 310
10.4.1 Implementing the Household Registration
System Reform Policy and Promote
the Transformation of Rural Workers
into Citizens 310
10.4.2 Complying with Industrial Structure
Adjustment and Create Jobs for Grey-
and White-Collar Workers 312
10.4.3 Strengthening Vocational and On-the-Job
Training to Improve the Quality of Labor 315
10.5 The Comprehensive “ Xingzhong” (Rise
of the Middle Class) Should Giving Full Play
to the Main Role of Employers and Workers 316
10.5.1 Employers: How to Cultivate the Middle
Class Members 317
10.5.2 Workers: How to Grow to Be a Member
of the Middle Class 319
11 Postscript 325

Bibliography 329
 List of Figures

Fig. 5.1 The current occupation distribution of the middle class 113
Fig. 5.2 The average wages of urban (private and individual sectors
excluded) staff and workers in 30 provinces (autonomous
regions or municipalities) in China 116
Fig. 5.3 The urban households’ per capita wage income in China
and 31 provinces (autonomous regions or municipalities) 117
Fig. 5.4 The average wages of urban (private and individual sectors
excluded) staff and workers of leagues (cities) in the Inner
Mongolia Autonomous Region 119
Fig. 5.5 The educational attainment of the major “middle class
sectors” 120
Fig. 5.6 The education expenditure of Chinese urban households
by income level (2011) (Source The figures are quoted
from China Urban Life and Price Yearbook 2011) 129
Fig. 5.7 General performance of present-day China’s middle class 135
Fig. 8.1 Situation of the middle class in China in 2030 234

xxi
 List of Tables

Table 4.1 The Indicator System to Show Regional Difference 88

Table 4.2 The Tree Diagram of Clustering Analysis of 31 Provinces
(Autonomous Regions and Municipalities Directly
under the Central Government) 89
Table 4.3 The urban household income in five equal groups
divided by the income groups (data from 2013) (Unit:
Yuan) 94
Table 4.4 Table was sorted based on relevant data of the per capita
net income of rural residents, classified by the five income
equal classifications (data from 2013) (Unit: Yuan). 96
Table 5.1 Average wages in the urban units by sector (China, 2012) 104
Table 5.2 The consumption composition of urban households
by income level (2012) 122
Table 5.3 The Education Expenditure of Urban households
in China (2011) 127
Table 5.4 Compared proportion and criteria of the middle class
or middle-income group in selected developed countries
or regions 132
Table 9.1 Urbanization rate of China since 2000 255

xxiii
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 In such interviews the ardent manner of Sebastian deceived her
unintentionally: those eyes that spoke even the slightest emotion more
distinctly than any other eyes, seemed when expressive of gratitude, to be
expressive of love; at sight of her he remembered Donna Gonsalva, and that
enchanting recollection diffusing over his countenance the most touching
tenderness, made Kara Aziek fondly fancy herself its object.
By these frequent opportunities she saw him under every variety of his
various nature; alternately the serenest and the most tempestuous, the
tenderest and the fiercest of human beings: her gentle character often
trembled at the violence of his; but when the storm was gone, and the sun
smiling in his face, she felt only the fonder anxiety and the deeper interest.
She saw him quick to avenge the wrongs or relieve the pains of others,
but regardless still of his own; how then could she denounce that very
rashness which disquieted her, since it arose from the excess of a virtue?
Yet she was solicitous to have this rashness moderated, and often took
occasion to converse on the subjects of prudence and forbearance: she
reminded him that there is no such thing as swaying others, before we have
learned to command ourselves; she pointed out to him several instances in
which the fierceness of his temper had frustrated the effects of his
benevolence: when he sought some indulgence for a fellow captive
suddenly overpowered with heat or sickness, if the task-master demurred,
he would blaze into indignation, and harden the heart he disdained to
soften.
Kara Aziek ventured to shew him the superior dignity and utility of
employing reason at such times rather than anger: he would listen with
delight and contrition, though his former habit of exacting obedience from
others, rendered it difficult for him to obey himself.
Aziek saw that to conquer his natural infirmity would cost Sebastian
infinite trouble,—and to her, it would have been no visible blemish, since
she loved him with a tenderness that veiled his very faults;—but she felt
that his faults made himself unhappy: how then could they continue a
matter of indifference?—with such impatience and imprudence he must
ever carry in his own mind the seeds of sorrow and remorse.
Unconscious of his hazardous purpose, she was daily advancing towards
the object he desired: her father never left her without bearing away with
him some argument in favor of the Christians, and particularly of Sebastian:
not daring to ask at once for his liberation, she was gradually softening and
preparing El Hader’s mind for such a request.
Meanwhile time rolled on, and Sebastian completed his laborious task.
When he first caught a gleam of the moon-lighted river shining through the
important aperture, it seemed as if that sight alone had released him from
his bonds; he kissed his bosom cross in a rapture of gratitude, and emotion
for awhile prevented him from thinking of his indiscretion in suffering the
chasm to remain uncovered; he filled it up immediately, at both extremities,
for the night was just closing.
On returning to his chamber he found it impossible to sleep; his heart
was too full of anxiety for the event of his enterprize, and for the effect it
might have upon Gaspar: to disclose the secret to him, Sebastian believed
absolutely necessary, as that would soften the pain of being apparently
deserted, and yet could not justly subject him to the vengeance of El Hader.
—Gaspar might conscientiously swear that he had in no way contributed to
the escape of his countryman.
Agreeable to these reflections, Sebastian seized an opportunity the next
morning, and detailed his project: for awhile the affectionate soldier stood
aghast, but quickly recovering, he faltered out a mixed expression of joy
and sorrow: he then ventured to solicit his sovereign’s bounty for his
mother and sister, praying him to relieve their poverty, and to remember
that he was left behind in slavery. The poor youth was frequently on the
point of asking to accompany his King, but as often the conviction of his
infirm health checked the selfish request.
Sebastian saw only liberty before him, and succour for those he left
behind; yet he grieved to part his destiny from that of Gaspar, and at
thought of the gentle Aziek, he felt the most piercing regret: her rare
goodness and refinement was worthy a nobler fate than that to which she
seemed born: she was not adapted to share with a Harem the capricious
favor of an ignorant Mussulman, she was calculated to win and to deserve a
heart polished by culture.
Kara Aziek did not appear in the gardens that day, and towards evening
Sebastian spoke of her to Hafiz: he learnt from him, that she was gone to
Mequinez, to keep the feast of El Ed Geer, with the Almoçadem; at this
information his joyous feelings were damped: he had then parted from that
amiable being for ever, without having uttered afresh those animated
sentiments which filled his heart, and which she might hereafter recollect as
a grateful farewel!
The pain of this thought would have tempted Sebastian to delay his
departure, had not the image of Donna Gonsalva, sorrowing over his
supposed grave, hurried him onwards; he could not however depart, until he
had left a slight memorial of his gratitude:—for this purpose he entered the
labyrinth, and cut with a knife upon the chalk of one of its stones, a few
words in Italian.
After this tribute to the gentle spirit that had blessed him even in
captivity, he hastened from the spot, for it was now the hour of retiring.
Gaspar waited for him in his sleeping room: the night was dark and
gusty; a circumstance that awakened some friendly fears in the former; but
Sebastian’s soul was roused with the prospect of freedom, and he
considered the gloom which alarmed his friend, as favorable to his
concealment. They sat together in a remote chamber, watching with
extreme anxiety the gradual stillness that spread around them: by degrees
the sound of voices and steps died away,—the closing of doors became less
and less frequent, till at length profound silence settled over the scene.
They scarcely exchanged even a whisper during this long suspense;
Gaspar’s heart was full almost to bursting; for he felt, that in losing the
King of Portugal as a fellow-prisoner, he was losing a friend: that King
seated again upon a throne, would not surely acknowledge and love a
private soldier! he had heard that “the favor of princes is not fastened by
nails of diamonds to men whom they affect,” and while his artless mind
dwelt on this saying, the deepest dejection stole over him.
Ideas of such a nature changed his former ease and confidence into awe
and distrust; and at the very moment in which Gaspar most longed to throw
himself at his beloved master’s feet, there to pour forth all his feelings, he
stood sadly silent, scarce venturing to breathe or to raise his eyes from the
earth.
Sebastian comprehended these emotions: he took Gaspar’s hand with a
warmth and earnestness which enforced his words, and pressing it
repeatedly, assured him that neither the pomps nor the cares of a crown
could break those bonds in which mutual suffering and mutual obligation
had united them: he renewed his promise of immediately placing Gaspar’s
family in competence, and of dispatching an embassy to the Muley of
Morocco for the purpose of ransoming him and the rest of the Christians.
“Rely on the word of a King, and the faith of a friend!” he concluded,
“all this I solemnly swear to perform should heaven restore me to my
throne.—When we meet again, may it be in our dear native land!—then
Gaspar thou shalt see how much I love thee.”
Transported with such goodness, the tender-hearted youth wept like a
woman; his sovereign’s heart beat high with hope, and could not admit
regret; he anticipated a blissful hour of future meeting, and gently chiding
his companion, leaped the window of their chamber:—Gaspar followed
more cautiously.
Sebastian was lightly clothed in a habit sent him by Kara Aziek, which
he had never yet worn, and therefore could not be described by; in his girdle
was stuck a small hatchet, and a Moorish knife, for the purpose of defence;
over his shoulder was flung a sort of basket, containing a few Tourkia cakes
and dried meats, which he had saved from the daily presents of Aziek.
A short circuit brought them to their place of destination: pushing aside
the trees, they gently drew away the loose stones that concealed the
aperture; the sullen sound of the river was heard through it: Gaspar looked
up fearfully to the sky; the clouds there were thick and dull, but something
like light gleamed through them in parts proceeding from the moon now at
her full: Sebastian whispered him to be of good cheer; then turning hastily
round, he grasped him to his heart without speaking.
Both the King and the soldier trembled in each other’s embrace; at
length sinking from his sovereign’s arms, Gaspar embraced his knees
without being able to articulate a single word: Sebastian hastily raised him,
embraced him once more, then pressed through the aperture.
With breathless attention Gaspar listened to the rustling of the bushes on
the opposite side through which Sebastian had rushed; the next moment he
distinctly heard him plunge into the river: at that fearful crisis he crossed his
breast and his forehead, and remained kneeling in an agony of supplication;
but suddenly recollecting his friend’s injunctions, he hastily filled up the
chasm of the wall at each extremity.
At every blast of wind sweeping through the leafy branches over his
head, (while thus employed,) he almost fancied that he heard the drowning
voice of his King: once he thought the sound of a gun had mingled with the
blast, but it was not repeated, and his apprehension ceased.
By degrees the wind sunk into a low moan, only mixed with the hoarse
dashing of the water; neither voice nor step came any longer to his ear: the
faithful soldier then sorrowfully arose, and returned to his solitary chamber;
piously endeavouring there to cast his cares upon that Almighty Protector
who alone is able to destroy and to save.
 CHAP. II.
Sebastian had to contend with a strong current, but having stripped off his
cloaths and fastened them above his head, he was able to breast the
powerful water with equal strength; a few strokes of his nervous arm
brought him to the opposite bank; he sprung on land, and shaking off the
wet quickly re-dressed himself.
While he was fastening on his rude sandals, he looked up to the
Cassavee, from whence he had escaped: the faintly glimmering moon now
cast a momentary gleam over its high dome, and silvered part of the line
formed by the wall, upon which were seen a few sentinels walking to and
fro: one of these men appeared to stop and bend forward; Sebastian glided
behind a cluster of sallows; the Moor called out, and receiving no answer,
discharged his harquebuss; but whether Sebastian’s profound stillness
deceived him into the belief of having mistaken the shadow of a tree for a
human figure, or whether he thought all his duty performed by this act, is
uncertain,—he waited awhile, then moved away without further scrutiny.
Sebastian crept slowly through the underwood till he found himself in a
path gradually declining between tolerably steep hills; no longer afraid of
discovery, he rose from his stooping posture, and ran swiftly in a direction
leading towards the interior. Happily the moon began to shine distinctly, for
a rising east wind scattered the clouds that had before ascended from the
west, and now her steady light brightened every hill and every valley.
The royal Portuguese proceeded with rapidity through scenes which
increased in wild solitariness; at every step the heights assumed a bolder
and steeper form, the thickets of oak and locust trees became more frequent,
and except the din of a torrent which grew upon his ear, nothing was heard
to startle even momentary apprehension.
Guiding his course by the stars, he continued to advance among the
mountains with the utmost celerity: nature and habit had made him capable
of bearing great fatigue without injury; he now flew rather than ran,
springing over the broad beds of mountain streams, and leaping from point
to point of the rocky fissures.
Day dawned on him in these desart places, but neither flocks nor
dwellings appeared to warn him from his fellow men: he pressed forward,
eager to get the start of his pursuers, and resolved not to rest till he could do
so with a prospect of security.
After journeying till mid-day, chance led him to a steep rocky dell so
overhung with shrubs and trees, that it appeared to promise a safe resting
place; he had to stoop under the pendent branches that shaded its entrance,
but after passing through them, the foliage fell down again like a curtain,
and secured him from observation.
He advanced to the end of this recess, and sat down on a projecting crag;
there, for the first time since his escape, he had leisure to think and to
calculate on his future movements: the earliest fruit of those reflections was
gratitude to that Almighty Being whose hand had thus conducted him in
safety; the next emotion was tender remembrance of Gaspar and Kara
Aziek, but while he believed that he was hastening from the latter never to
see her again, joy brightened regret, for he was returning to Donna
Gonsalva.
Never before had Sebastian been sensible to such a sudden translation
from misery to transport: Freedom, man’s greatest blessing, the air he is
destined to breathe and to live by, and without which he dies—Freedom,
that pure element, which is scarcely felt while it surrounds us, and seldom
known but in its privation,—was now his own again; it throbbed in all his
pulses, spoke to his senses from every outward object and inward feeling,
new-strung his nerves, and turned hopes into certainties.
What bright visions of future happiness, transcending all he had ever yet
known, now animated him—in his own person he had acquired a keener
relish for the blessings of home and liberty, and he had learned such
important lessons as would make him respect those blessings in the persons
of others.
Thankful even for captivity, since it had ameliorated his character, he
gave no check to sanguine thought: yet thirty leagues of African ground still
lay between him and security.
Finding himself faint for want of refreshment, he ate sparingly of his few
provisions, and quenched his thirst with the water of a neighbouring spring,
then commending himself to the protection of his tutelary saints, laid down
to rest.
When Sebastian awoke, he found the day far spent: he had of late
abridged his sleep so much, and been so continually anxious, that this first
repose, in a scene of comparative freedom, lasted longer than he wished;
however, he awoke with renovated strength, and quitting the dell, resumed
his former track.
He had not proceeded far, when he came abruptly upon a flock of goats,
with a couple of stout Moorish boys watching them; not allowing them an
instant to note his dress or face, he darted down a side declivity and flew
along, till seeing the hills opening in several directions, he chose one path at
a venture, and soon lost himself among thickets and precipices.—At first he
heard the boys voices mixed with those of men; but shortly they ceased to
reach him, and he then concluded they were seeking him in a different path.
Alarmed by this incident he deemed it best to penetrate further into the
mountains, ere he shaped his course downwards towards Massignan, as by
so doing he would not be so likely to encounter any Moors but Alarbes, and
against meeting them, he must guard as well as possible: it is true that by
thus prolonging his journey in desert regions, he incurred the risk of
perishing either by famine or by savage beasts; but he believed himself
capable of warding off the latter, and for the former he did not fear, as he
learned amongst the Alarbes where to find roots and berries fit for
sustenance. Putting up a fervent prayer, he resumed his flight.
Night surprized him in a thick forest: to proceed now would have been
madness; those enormous serpents and lions with which Africa abounds,
were not lightly to be braved in the darkness of vast solitudes; he therefore
ascended one of the largest trees, where he watched away the remaining
hours.
The awfulness of his present situation, and the alarmed state of his
spirits, formed a striking contrast to his late exultation: every thing around
was dismal; one of those fierce winds which constantly blow in Barbary
from the north-east, in the month of March, was now raving through the
forest; this was mixed with the distant roar of lions, and the thrilling yell of
hyenas; as each pealing blast shook the very roots of the huge oak in which
he lodged, he fancied it the fury of some powerful animal, and prepared
himself to encounter it with his hatchet.
Night however passed away, and the rising sun flamed over a track
which Sebastian now trod with tranquil thankfulness; the beans of the
Alcorabe made his scanty breakfast, as he walked under its umbrageous
boughs: trusting that he had now baffled pursuit, he proceeded in a direction
which must bring him lower down among the green mountains, and lead
directly to the Ardea:—Two hours brought him out into a wide plain
skirting their feet; a broad river rolled through this plain, and over it were
scattered Alarbe’s tents.
Sebastian’s blood curdled with abhorrence at hearing the tinkling of
Zauphens; (a barbarous musical instrument he remembered too well) as he
precipitately turned back to retrace his steps, the figures of men crossing
from a side eminence forced him to retreat, the men shouted on seeing him,
and rushed forwards; others were quickly seen pouring from the tents; some
came on foot, some on horseback; they gained upon his steps, till he
distinctly recognized the voices of two Moors whom he had known under
the roof of El Hader.
Death or slavery was now before him; he flew on the wind, outstripping
even their lances and the shot of their harquebusses: the opposite side of the
river towards which he made was clothed with woods, could he reach them,
(as there was no bridge or boat for the conveyance of his pursuers,) he
hoped yet to escape; shaking off his cloak and his baggage, he plunged into
the water. Awhile he combatted its rapid current; but alas! former fatigue,
anxiety, and intense heat, had nearly forespent his bodily powers: he
struggled with the waves till strength was exhausted and consciousness
gone: just as he was sinking, an Alarbe dashed into the river, seized his arm,
and dragged him to shore.
The rude remedies used by these ferocious people succeeded in bringing
their victim to life: Sebastian opened his eyes and beheld himself in the
hands of the Almoçadem’s servants, once more a prisoner and a slave.
At that moment it could not be said his fortitude forsook him, though he
closed his eyes again with the air of one bereft of hope: on the contrary, he
was mentally bowing to the will of Providence, and striving to rein in the
phrenzy of extravagant rashness.
Having secured the weapons with which he might have attempted
resistance, and seeing him completely enfeebled, the Moors loaded him
with abuse; and one of them was on the point of adding outrage to
invective, when Sebastian half-started from the ground on which he lay,
faintly uttering the name of Kara Aziek; at that sound the Africans shrunk
back, staring on each other, and pronouncing the Christian a sorcerer: he
had indeed divined the only magic that could save him from an extremity of
insult; for on quitting the Cassavee these slaves had been threatened by
Hafiz with their lady’s wrath should they injure the Portuguese.
The crowd of Alarbes that had joined El Hader’s servants, forbade any
attempt to elude them; Sebastian promised to return quietly, upon condition
that they did not fasten his hands like a criminal. After some consultation
together, the men at last consented to this. Without allowing him time to
recover from his exhaustion, they mounted him upon a horse, and forming a
troop of Alarbes around him, proceeded towards the valley of palms.
The uncouth habits and ferocious looks of his mountaineer associates,
the mode of his conveyance, joined to the circumstances of his situation,
forcibly recalled to Sebastian the period in which he was first carried to the
abode of El Hader: thought then flowed back upon the memory of Stukeley
and the rare goodness of Abensallah; sigh followed sigh as he remembered
them, though he envied the lot of the friend he lamented, who had escaped
the galling chains of slavery by a memorable death.
Such reflections as these occupied him so entirely, as to render him
insensible to the brutality of his companions, who frequently repeated with
grins of horrid triumph, that the Almoçadem had sworn he should be broken
upon the wheel.
Advancing in a beaten and direct road lying below the hills he had
mounted, Sebastian found that a journey which had cost him two nights and
days of wearisome toil, was to be achieved in less than the fourth part of
that time: the Moors hurried on, not allowing him any other refreshment
than a draught of water, so that when they reached the valley of palms, his
strength had completely forsaken him, and he almost dropped from his
horse at the great gate of El Hader’s residence.
The Moors conveyed their captive to one of those dungeons where
Gaspar had formerly been confined, telling him he must wait there till it
pleased their high Lord the Almoçadem to determine upon his punishment:
Sebastian gave no answer to their brutal information, throwing himself
along the damp earth (his only resting place) regardless of his own fate,
alarmed now for that of Gaspar.
It was but too probable that the Almoçadem might have revenged
himself upon his innocent head for the flight of his countryman: this fear
had not before agitated Sebastian, because he believed Kara Aziek would
interfere for the poor soldier, and that indeed El Hader himself was not
inclined to cruelty; but the present appearance of severity rendered
apprehensions for Gaspar perfectly rational.
This thought gave anxiety a new direction, and kept the unfortunate
monarch from reflecting upon his own disappointment; he was now
earnestly praying to see, or hear from Kara Aziek, from whom alone he
could hope for an account of his friend: but Kara Aziek did not appear, and
the King of Portugal counted the tedious hours of night in a dark dungeon,
upon the bare ground, alone and unsolaced.
“When the mind’s free, the body’s delicate;” he that had been nursed on
the lap of luxury, now suffered every human privation without missing any
other comforts than those of freedom and friendship.
Morning was made known to Sebastian merely by the sounds of labour
without; no cheering sun-beam penetrated his airless cell; he lay on the
unpaved floor, his spirit subdued awhile by past exertion and present
disturbance.
Towards evening a Moor whom he had once before seen, came to inform
him that it was El Hader’s pleasure he should be brought out the ensuing
day into the large slave-court, there to receive a thousand lashes, in the
presence of the Almoçadem and all his household.
“Tell your merciless master that I will die first!” exclaimed Sebastian,
fiercely starting from the ground.
“Peace! thou art a fool!” returned the phlegmatic Ephra, “how art thou to
escape this flogging, when thou hast neither weapons nor strength to put
thyself out of the world?”
“I shall then meet death on some of your weapons!” cried Sebastian,
whose eyes struck fire as he spoke. “By every saint above, I swear, that
while there is life in this body it shall not be dishonoured by a coward’s
punishment! The man who would sooner lose life than honour, may find
avenues to death at every step. Tell your master—again I say tell him—that
I will die resisting his infamous decree!”
“You will die like a lunatic then, as you are,” retorted Ephra, turning to
go away, “I can tell you in return, that our master swears he will not abate
one jot of your punishment, even to please my lady, his daughter: so don’t
reckon upon her interference.—Nay, for that matter, she is lying sick at
Mequinez, and will know nothing of this business till it is over.”
 Ephra closed the dungeon door as he finished, leaving Sebastian to
contemplate the probability of death on the morrow.
It was in vain that the young and ardent monarch strove to reconcile
himself to a destiny so inglorious: to perish thus in obscurity among a
handful of sordid Moors, without the means of conveying to his people, and
his Gonsalva a last blessing, was a thought which drove him to phrenzy; he
could not hope for the satisfaction of seeing Gaspar, nor was Kara Aziek to
be near, soothing his parting pangs with respect and tenderness.
A confused apprehension that she would too deeply regret his fate,
trembled at his heart, softening the wildness of despair;—“Amiable, too
tender Aziek!” he exclaimed, “when I am released from earthly sufferings,
may some miracle be worked for thee!—may thine eyes be opened to the
true faith, and thy days be spent in other scenes than these, so full of horror
and iniquity!”
Hope, which hitherto had never completely left the intrepid breast of
Sebastian, now fled far away; the absence and sickness of Kara Aziek
appeared his death-warrant; he therefore endeavoured to meditate on the
probable event of his approaching struggle, with the seriousness it
demanded.
It was the middle watch of night, when having fallen asleep after a long
train of thought; he was awakened by the sound of the heavy bolts which
fastened his prison door; they were withdrawn by feeble hands, for they
moved gratingly: at length the door opened, and he beheld two of Kara
Aziek’s women.
They advanced timidly, closing the door behind them: the King sprung
from the ground; hope once more warmed his heart.—“Your mistress, your
angel mistress!” he exclaimed, “does she send you hither?”
“She sends me to reproach you, you rash Christian!” answered the slave,
“did you doubt her promise, that you thus rushed upon certain destruction
by attempting escape?”
“No, no, Benzaide,” replied Sebastian, “I doubted only her power to
serve me.—tell her that if I am to perish tomorrow, my soul will pine in
Paradise till it meets again, her pure and benevolent spirit!”
At this passionate burst of gratitude, the companion of Benzaide (who
had hitherto leaned unnoticed against the dungeon wall) sobbed aloud, and
sunk down upon the floor: in strange alarm Sebastian hastened to raise her;
Benzaide put aside the slave’s veil to give her air, and the lamp she held,
shining directly upon her face, discovered the soft olive-brown complexion
and lovely features of Kara Aziek.
Sebastian’s excess of pleasure was checked by an instinctive conviction
of Kara Aziek’s motive; and now those fervent acknowledgements he
would have lavished upon disinterested benevolence, were stifled by an
apprehension of heightening a sentiment which he could not return: every
animated word he should at this moment address to her, would be treason
against Gonsalva. At that thought he hastily dropped the trembling hand he
was carrying to his lips, and respectfully resigning her to Benzaide, rose
with a dejected air from his kneeling posture.
The gentle Moor wept some time in silence; but how expressive was that
silence! her eyes spoke every feeling of a fond and pitying heart; as they
alternately looked from the dungeon to its noble inhabitant,—to him whose
feet were cut, and bleeding still from the sharp rocks he had traversed, and
whose countenance, though pale and wasted, was yet bright with unsubdued
heroism.
“Ah, Fabian!” she exclaimed at length, in a voice that went to the soul,
“why didst thou do this rash thing? If I should not be able to save thee?” she
stopped at this, unable to conclude the sentence, and the blood forsook her
cheeks.
Wrung with grief, sick, pale, and languid, Kara Aziek could not have
been seen by the man she wished to charm, at a moment more unfavourable
for personal beauty; but there is a beauty of the soul, so transcending all
mortal perfections, that it triumphs over deformity itself: that beauty now
beamed from her tear-dimmed eyes and colourless cheek; it seemed to shed
a glory round her, at once awaking love and veneration. Sebastian must
have yielded to its sweet force, had not his heart been pledged to another.
The agitated expression of the Christian’s countenance, reminded Aziek
that she was allowing too much of her own emotion to appear; struggling to
conceal it, she proceeded to repeat that he owed her present visit solely to
that sincere friendship which his misfortunes and his virtues inspired; a
friendship that feared not to shew itself in the form of sympathy and
succour. She informed him, that having been taken ill at Mequinez soon
after his flight, she must have remained in ignorance of his return and fated
punishment, had it not been for Hafiz, who secretly dispatched a message to
her, praying her intercession in behalf of his favourite slave: she had then
set off for the valley of palms, but arriving too late for an interview with El
Hader (who was gone to rest) had ventured to assume a disguise, and pass
the prison guards as one of her own servants.
Aziek anxiously tried to hide from Sebastian the distraction into which
his departure had thrown her, by mentioning her illness as accidental; native
delicacy taught her to conceal the tenderest and purest love that ever
warmed a human bosom; to conceal it because she would owe nothing to
gratitude, nothing to compassion; because his happiness was the first object
of her generous heart.
The enthusiasm of Aziek’s manner while she spoke of pity and
philanthropy, almost persuaded her grateful auditor, that she would indeed
have done as much for any other man under such affecting circumstances;
yet he could not help allowing that the peculiar esteem she felt for him,
gave a charm to her benevolence.
He now blamed his late vain idea’s, and thought, that in El Hader’s
daughter he beheld one who would learn with a sister’s sympathy his
affection for another, and lament with a sister’s sorrow the privations of his
love!—this belief restored him to composure, and after expressing much of
his lively admiration, he ventured to inquire about Gaspar.
Aziek replied, that Gaspar had so adroitly parried the questions put to
him (during the examination which followed Sebastian’s flight) that the
Almoçadem could find no ground for supposing him privy to the run-a-
way’s escape, especially as it seemed more natural for the former to have
escaped also, than to have remained behind: Gaspar had been dismissed
without censure, and was now occupied as usual under the indulgent Hafiz.
This information relieved Sebastian’s heart from its heaviest load, and
again he blessed the gentle Being whose humanity imparted some of its
own mercy even to Moors grown old in tyranny.
Benzaide at this period reminded her mistress of the late hour, and of her
indisposition, which rendered rest indispensible; Kara Aziek reluctantly
took her arm: “I am going to leave thee, Fabian,” she said, “Alla alone
knows when and how we shall meet again!—that frantic spirit of thine
makes me tremble. If I should fail of softening my father, alas, what will
become of thee! thy terrible look at this moment answers me but too
plainly.”
 Her eyes swimming in tears were now fixed upon his violently agitated
features; Sebastian strove to calm himself for her sake: “I dare not deceive
you, amiable Aziek!” he said, “it is my determination not to survive
disgrace: yet perhaps they will not seek to inflict it. Let your father change
my punishment to the severest penalties of toil, famine, or imprisonment—
let him condemn me to unheard-of sufferings, and I will consent to live on,
in the fantastic hope of being miraculously delivered at last: but were
freedom, and all those blessings comprized in the dear name of country, to
follow the execution of that sentence, which turns my cheeks to fire while I
but think of it, I would abhor life after such degradation.—No, no, generous
Aziek, ask me not to bear it and to live.”
“I do not ask thee!—I know not what I would ask of thee!” exclaimed
the lovely Moor, in a tone of distraction, “thy life so precious—so dear—so
dear to all thy companions—O Alla! is it to be thus madly thrown away! I
would not have thee live disgraced, yet I would have thee live. Perhaps if
thou wouldest join thy prayers with mine, and humble thyself to my father
—prostrate at his feet, he could not surely——”
“Prostrate at his feet!” interrupted Sebastian wildly, darting on her a look
of indignation. “What! for myself!—for a Mahometan’s mercy!—No!—I
will die as I have lived—a King!”
The magnanimous and proud spirit of Sebastian, yet unsubdued by all
his mortifications, now shone out in full force over his face and figure: like
one awaking from some vanishing dream, Kara Aziek gazed on him, faintly
repeating his last words: she stood transfixed, while thought, more rapid
than light, was destroying every former hope.
If a Christian King, what must be the daughter of a Moorish noble, in his
eyes?—an atom!—a mote in the broad sunshine of regal glory: as well
might she think to scale the immeasurable heavens, as to become the friend
and partner of a King: in one moment she was hurled from him to a distance
so remote, that it seemed madness to hope his heart would ever again throb
with a single feeling answerable to hers.
Shocked, chilled, despairing, she silently tried to cover herself with her
veil, while half sinking in an attitude of reverence, excess of emotion
overcame her, and she was forced to catch at Benzaide for support.
The heavy sigh which came from Aziek’s heart as she fell on the arm of
her maid, recovered Sebastian from his paroxysm; he now threw himself
before her: “Proud as you may think me, gentle Aziek!” he said, “Behold
the King of Portugal at your feet, soliciting pardon for his impetuosity: the
discovery that fiery hastiness has made, will but increase your pity for an
unfortunate man who, while languishing in captivity, has so much to
lament.”
He stopt, and Kara Aziek extending her hand to him with a varying
cheek, answered faulteringly, “The King of Portugal was said to have fallen
at Alcazar, and to be now buried in his native land—but I believe indeed
that thou art he.—Thou art then that Sebastian I was taught to hate!”
A deep but tender sigh burst forth with the last expression: how did that
sigh appear to change the meaning of the word she uttered!—the touching
voice in which she spoke, the tears that floated her momentarily-fixed, and
then suddenly-averted eyes, were only too expressive of an eternal
devotedness; but Sebastian, self-absorbed, saw nothing; he rapidly
recapitulated to her all that he possessed in Portugal, and was now on the
point of abandoning for ever.
On the mentioning of Donna Gonsalva, whom love painted in the most
seducing colours, Kara Aziek’s countenance suddenly changed; it varied at
every word, but she listened in silence: those fond hopes which had again
sprung up, when she saw him at her feet, those hopes which formerly had
been nourished by his tender manner, were now withered; could she
preserve his honour and his life, and after that obtain his liberty, she would
be doing this only to hasten the moment that would give him to another.
Her pure, impassioned heart almost exclaimed aloud, “Ah, it is not thy
throne I covet to share; thy love alone would be to me a kingdom: with
thee, a desart, or a dungeon, obscurity or poverty would bestow happiness.”
But though this regret filled her bosom, it could not displace for one
moment, that disinterested generosity which formed the basis of her noblest
qualities; whatever might become of herself she resolved to renew her
endeavour for procuring his release hereafter, should she succeed in saving
him now.
Donna Gonsalva’s beauty appeared from the description of Sebastian to
be that of a Celestial, and her character delineated by the same partial hand
could not fail of impressing Kara Aziek with the conviction that she was
worthy to be adored: to such a rival she yielded with the less pain.
 The King of Portugal was painfully affected by the changes he beheld in
the expressive countenance of his gentle friend; it was impossible for him
not to find his past fears recur, as he witnessed this ill-concealed emotion: at
one moment he repented, at another applauded the disclosure of those dear
engagements which must teach Kara Aziek that he was not ungrateful in
remaining untouched by her tenderness and charms: but his heart saddened
to think what the eventful morrow might prove to her.
Benzaide now warned her mistress that day would soon break and
expose them to the notice of the Moorish guards; Aziek started, and covered
herself with her veil, unwilling to shew Sebastian the extent of her grief at
bidding him farewel: incapable of speaking, she timidly held out her hand
to him; it was cold and trembling—the King put it to his lips—“adieu
matchless creature!” he cried, “may angels benevolent and pure like
yourself, watch over all your days!—were not my heart in Portugal with her
who is mourning for my sake, this transcendant goodness must either have
softened or sharpened the pains of slavery:—I should have forgotten my
fallen state, and dared to love the lovely Aziek.”—
The last sentence breathed in an agitated whisper over the soft hand he
was pressing to his heart, thrilled through the frame of Aziek; she blushed,
faltered, moved tremblingly away, and seeking the support of Benzaide,
faintly pronounced a parting benediction:—her senses were in sweet
disorder at so delightful and unexpected a confession; next to the bliss of
possessing that noble heart, was the certainty that he believed her worthy of
it. Transported with this assurance, she gave him a last look filled with
gratitude and pleasure, and then departed.—
Compassion heightened by admiration, was the reigning sentiment left in
the heart of Sebastian; long after the departure of his benefactress, her
endearing image solely filled his thoughts:—without a single moment’s
infidelity to the exquisite Gonsalva, he was yet deeply interested in the
happiness of her rival, and could not refrain from thinking oftener of her
than of himself.—Still hoping something from her interference, he
commended himself to Providence, and lay down to sleep again, upon the
floor of his dungeon.
Sebastian had been awake some time the ensuing morning, when he
heard a bell ring; at the sound of which he had been, told to prepare for
punishment: as he listened, the blood forsook his face, and a horrid chill
suddenly ran through his veins:—Kara Aziek had then failed!—recovering
from the shock of disappointment (which had shocked him only because it
was unforeseen) he knelt down with the crucifix clasped in his hands,
fervently breathing over it a solemn supplication of forgiveness for all his
sins and errors.
He prayed the Lord of Heaven to forgive or to enlighten him, if the
resistance he meditated, were an act of impious rebellion; he besought
blessings for his friends and for his enemies; he commended his people to
the protection of Him, who places Kings upon their thrones, and the names
of Gonsalva and Aziek were mingling on his lips, when the prison door
opened, and instead of guards to conduct him to a scene of blood, he beheld
the smiling Benzaide.
Her mission spoke in her face, as she put aside her veil, bidding him rise
and follow her.—Sebastian obeyed: not before he had devoutly kissed the
cross he wore;—boundless gratitude to Heaven, did indeed swell his heart,
as he passed with his companion through the various courts, leading to Kara
Aziek’s apartments: on reaching them, Benzaide threw a large mantle over
him, in which she bade him wrap even his head, as he would then pass
unnoticed by the female servants; at the same time she deposited a pair of
slippers at the entrance, observing, that should the Almoçadem come and
see them, he would retire according to the Moorish fashion, believing that
some neighbouring lady was then visiting his daughter.
Sebastian learnt from this, that in rendering him such services as these,
Kara Aziek perpetually risked the displeasure of her father: this thought did
but the more enhance the value of her protection.
Upon entering the chamber of Aziek, he found her alone, lying along a
sopha shaded by thin drapery: she spoke to him without altering her
position or uncovering her face, for she was ill, and greatly agitated: her
motive for admitting him to her presence at such a period, was not merely
to see him again, or to receive his thanks, but to soothe him under a
disappointment she had been forced to prepare for him.
El Hader had been previously with her, when she had exerted all her
influence for the pardon of Sebastian: at first he refused to hear his
daughter’s petition, expressing great anger at her partiality to this
ungovernable Christian, on whom so many favors had already been thrown
away; he ridiculed the idea of a slave’s preferring death to a few strokes of
the whip, and told her plainly, that if she continued thus to protect a
Christian, merely because he was of her mother’s country, the Moors would
proclaim her an enemy to the true faith.
Kara Aziek mildly allowed herself to be called foolish and profane, yet
redoubled her intercessions, availing herself of her severe illness to plead
with more earnestness for indulgence: she prayed, she wept, she embraced
her father’s knees, telling him that she had vowed for her mother’s sake
never to cease protecting the two Portuguese, and that consequently, she
could not remain inactive now, without breaking that inward promise.
Her tears and touching feebleness at length melted El Hader, and he
consented to limit the punishment of Sebastian to a month of the hardest
labour in his quarries: “as the fellow is so strong and ingenious,” he
concluded, “I would not part with him, but his countryman, your other
favorite, shall be sold immediately; he is a sickly, stupid, good-for-nothing
dog, and the sooner he is got rid of the better.—see that you make no
attempt to bring these Christian fools to a leave-taking—if you do, I swear
by the beard of the Prophet, that the slave Fabian shall pay the price of your
fault.”
This had been the Almoçadem’s parting command, and Kara Aziek, for
Sebastian’s sake, did not venture to disobey,—she detailed her father’s
resolution with many sighs and expressions of deep regret: the King turned
pale: and an exclamation of grief escaped him; not for himself he grieved,
but for the less healthy Gaspar, who had so long been accustomed to receive
from him comfort and assistance.—
The distress painted on his manly features, was visible to Kara Aziek
through her transparent veil—she hastened to efface it—“I must not detain
thee here,” she said blushing, “even now my heart trembles for fear, I have
done wrong in admitting thee into these apartments—but I could not deny
myself the gratification of telling thee that I will not lose sight of thy poor
friend; if money may avail, Gaspar shall regain his freedom, and return to
Portugal to prepare the way for thee.—Go Prince! (for I cannot call thee
Fabian now) go, and believe that Kara Aziek knows no other bliss on earth
than that of trying to resemble the ministering spirits of Heaven. Thy rare
example first taught her, that it is noble to live solely for others.”
Sebastian’s heart made a more animated reply to this speech than he
suffered to flow from his lips: her disinterested goodness was exalted in his
eyes from the very circumstance which threatened to weaken its force: if
she loved him, and felt that her peculiar happiness was only to be found in
his presence, what heroic generosity was it, thus to sacrifice every selfish
consideration, by seeking to procure for him the means of withdrawing to a
rival and a distant land.
After expressing some part of his feelings, and tenderly assuring her of
his deep concern at her increased illness, he once more wrapped himself in
the mantle, and passed with Benzaide through the outer chambers.
On quitting that side of the Cassavee, Sebastian proceeded to see and
thank Hafiz, to whom he owed the prompt interference of Aziek: his
acknowledgements were received with a mixture of kindness and anger; for
Hafiz was to lose his services a whole month, and could not comprehend
what he wanted with liberty, when so indulged by him and the Almoçadem.
From the gardens the unfortunate monarch proceeded to the scene of new
labour; there he toiled under a sky like burning brass, without shelter,
almost without sustenance; but his mind was too full of interesting thoughts
to leave him time for noticing bodily suffering: Gaspar and far distant
freedom, tortured remembrance.
Though the strict command of her father deterred Kara Aziek from
attempting to see Sebastian while he wore out his days of penance remote
from Hafiz, she contrived to send him every night various refreshments,
accompanied sometimes by short billets: in one of these she gave him the
unexpected information of Gaspar’s being free, and now on his way to
Portugal.
After a cautious negociation through the means of a Jew merchant, she
had purchased the poor fellow’s liberty by the sale of a few jewels, and now
wrote to animate Sebastian into hopes for himself:—ardent were the hopes
her letter awakened! The King could not doubt but that Gaspar, who knew
in common with every other Portuguese, his engagements with Donna
Gonsalva, would immediately repair to her with the news of his life and
captivity, and that consequently her fond zeal would quicken the exertions
for his release.
It was not in man, however disinterested, to lament the act which would
thus convey to his ministers and his friends the knowledge of his existence:
sincere as was his determination of never calling upon his subjects for that
succour he had a right to demand of them, he was not insensible to the joy